Exchange of information on reportable cross-border tax arrangements: CJEU Judgment in Case C-623/22

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Case Information:

• Court: Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)
• Case No: C-623/22
• Applicant: Belgian Association of Tax Lawyers, SR, FK, Ordre des barreaux francophones et germanophone, Orde van Vlaamse Balies, CQ, Instituut van de Accountants en de Belastingconsulenten, VH, ZS, NI, EX
• Defendant: Premier ministre/Eerste Minister (Prime Minister, Belgium)
• Judgment Date: July 29, 2024

Judgment Summary

The CJEU’s judgment in Case C-623/22 upheld the validity of Directive 2011/16/EUCouncil Directive 2011/16/EU, often referred to as the "Directive on Administrative Cooperation" (DAC), establishes a comprehensive framework for the exchange of tax information among EU Member States. Its primary objective is to promote transparency and combat tax evasion, ensuring all EU countries have access to information on taxpayers' cross-border income, assets, and activities. This directive mandates administrative cooperation among national..., as amended by Directive 2018/822Directive 2018/822, also known as DAC6, is an amendment to the European Union's Directive on Administrative Cooperation in the field of taxation (DAC). Effective from June 25, 2018, DAC6 mandates the reporting of certain cross-border tax arrangements to ensure transparency, combat aggressive tax planning, and prevent tax avoidance. This directive focuses on specific arrangements that may present potential tax risks,..., which mandates the automatic exchange of information on reportable cross-border tax arrangementsCross-border tax arrangements refer to any financial, operational, or structural plans designed by entities with activities or investments across multiple countries. These arrangements often leverage international tax laws and treaties to optimise tax liabilities and ensure compliance in each jurisdiction. Cross-border tax arrangements are crucial for multinational corporations (MNCs) as they help balance tax efficiencies with regulatory adherence across diverse.... The judgment addressed several challenges concerning the directive’s compatibility with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, explicitly focusing on legal certainty, equality, non-discrimination, and respect for private life. The Court found that the directive did not infringe upon these fundamental rights and that the provisions concerning reporting obligationsReporting obligations refer to the mandatory requirements imposed by tax authorities on entities or individuals to disclose specific financial and operational information. These obligations are designed to ensure transparency in taxation, help detect and prevent tax evasion, and support compliance with national and international tax standards. Such requirements can vary widely in scope, depending on jurisdiction and the nature of... were clear, proportionate, and justified by the need to combat tax avoidanceTax avoidance refers to the practice of legally structuring financial activities to minimise tax liability, reducing the amount of tax owed without violating laws. Unlike tax evasion, which is illegal and involves concealing income or misreporting, tax avoidance operates within the framework of the law. Multinational enterprises (MNEs) and individuals often engage in tax planning strategies that reduce tax liabilities....

Key Points of the Judgment

Background

Directive 2011/16/EUCouncil Directive 2011/16/EU, often referred to as the "Directive on Administrative Cooperation" (DAC), establishes a comprehensive framework for the exchange of tax information among EU Member States. Its primary objective is to promote transparency and combat tax evasion, ensuring all EU countries have access to information on taxpayers' cross-border income, assets, and activities. This directive mandates administrative cooperation among national..., amended by Directive 2018/822Directive 2018/822, also known as DAC6, is an amendment to the European Union's Directive on Administrative Cooperation in the field of taxation (DAC). Effective from June 25, 2018, DAC6 mandates the reporting of certain cross-border tax arrangements to ensure transparency, combat aggressive tax planning, and prevent tax avoidance. This directive focuses on specific arrangements that may present potential tax risks,..., was introduced as part of the EU’s efforts to enhance tax transparency and combat aggressive tax planningAggressive tax planning (ATP) refers to strategies employed by individuals or corporations to minimise their tax liabilities, often by exploiting legal loopholes, discrepancies between tax jurisdictions, or complex structures in tax law. While not always illegal, ATP can push the boundaries of acceptable tax behaviour, as it may compromise the intent of the law. ATP is commonly characterised by arrangements.... The directive requires intermediariesTax intermediaries are entities or individuals who act as facilitators between taxpayers and tax authorities, assisting with various aspects of tax compliance, planning, and dispute resolution. Their role spans from offering advisory services, ensuring compliance with tax regulations, to supporting clients in filing tax returns and navigating complex tax legislation. These intermediaries often include tax advisors, consultants, lawyers, accountants, and... and, in some cases, taxpayers to report cross-border arrangements that meet certain criteria (hallmarks) indicating a potential risk of tax avoidanceTax avoidance refers to the practice of legally structuring financial activities to minimise tax liability, reducing the amount of tax owed without violating laws. Unlike tax evasion, which is illegal and involves concealing income or misreporting, tax avoidance operates within the framework of the law. Multinational enterprises (MNEs) and individuals often engage in tax planning strategies that reduce tax liabilities.... The Belgian Association of Tax Lawyers and other applicants challenged the directive, arguing that it violated fundamental rights protected by the EU Charter.

Core Dispute

The core dispute centred on whether the directive’s provisions, particularly those related to the scope of reporting obligationsReporting obligations refer to the mandatory requirements imposed by tax authorities on entities or individuals to disclose specific financial and operational information. These obligations are designed to ensure transparency in taxation, help detect and prevent tax evasion, and support compliance with national and international tax standards. Such requirements can vary widely in scope, depending on jurisdiction and the nature of..., the clarity of definitions, and the protection of legal professional privilegeWhat is Lawyer-Client Confidentiality? Lawyer-client confidentiality is a fundamental principle in legal practice that safeguards the privacy of communications between a lawyer and their client. This principle ensures clients can openly share critical information, secure in the knowledge that it remains protected from public disclosure. In tax law, where discussions often involve sensitive financial and strategic decisions, lawyer-client confidentiality is..., infringed upon the principles of legal certainty, equality, non-discrimination, and respect for private life.

Court Findings

1. Scope of Reporting ObligationsReporting obligations refer to the mandatory requirements imposed by tax authorities on entities or individuals to disclose specific financial and operational information. These obligations are designed to ensure transparency in taxation, help detect and prevent tax evasion, and support compliance with national and international tax standards. Such requirements can vary widely in scope, depending on jurisdiction and the nature of...: The Court held that the directive’s broad application to all taxes, not just corporate taxCorporate Tax refers to the tax imposed by governments on the income or capital of corporations. Corporations, considered separate legal entities, are taxed on their profits, meaning the income generated from their operational activities, investments, and other financial undertakings. This tax is generally a key revenue source for governments, helping to fund public services, infrastructure, and other essential functions. The..., was justified. The inclusion of various taxes within the directive’s scope was necessary to address the full range of aggressive tax planningAggressive tax planning (ATP) refers to strategies employed by individuals or corporations to minimise their tax liabilities, often by exploiting legal loopholes, discrepancies between tax jurisdictions, or complex structures in tax law. While not always illegal, ATP can push the boundaries of acceptable tax behaviour, as it may compromise the intent of the law. ATP is commonly characterised by arrangements... practices.
2. Clarity of Legal Definitions: The Court found that terms like “arrangement,” “intermediary,” and “associated enterprise” were sufficiently clear. The directive provided adequate guidance for these terms to be interpreted in a manner consistent with legal certainty and the principle of legality in criminal matters.
3. Legal Professional PrivilegeWhat is Lawyer-Client Confidentiality? Lawyer-client confidentiality is a fundamental principle in legal practice that safeguards the privacy of communications between a lawyer and their client. This principle ensures clients can openly share critical information, secure in the knowledge that it remains protected from public disclosure. In tax law, where discussions often involve sensitive financial and strategic decisions, lawyer-client confidentiality is...: The Court acknowledged the importance of legal professional privilegeWhat is Lawyer-Client Confidentiality? Lawyer-client confidentiality is a fundamental principle in legal practice that safeguards the privacy of communications between a lawyer and their client. This principle ensures clients can openly share critical information, secure in the knowledge that it remains protected from public disclosure. In tax law, where discussions often involve sensitive financial and strategic decisions, lawyer-client confidentiality is... but upheld the directive’s requirement for intermediariesTax intermediaries are entities or individuals who act as facilitators between taxpayers and tax authorities, assisting with various aspects of tax compliance, planning, and dispute resolution. Their role spans from offering advisory services, ensuring compliance with tax regulations, to supporting clients in filing tax returns and navigating complex tax legislation. These intermediaries often include tax advisors, consultants, lawyers, accountants, and... to notify others of their reporting obligationsReporting obligations refer to the mandatory requirements imposed by tax authorities on entities or individuals to disclose specific financial and operational information. These obligations are designed to ensure transparency in taxation, help detect and prevent tax evasion, and support compliance with national and international tax standards. Such requirements can vary widely in scope, depending on jurisdiction and the nature of.... This balance was deemed necessary to ensure that tax authorities received critical information without disproportionately infringing on the right to private life.
4. Proportionality of the Reporting Obligation: The Court concluded that the directive’s reporting obligationsReporting obligations refer to the mandatory requirements imposed by tax authorities on entities or individuals to disclose specific financial and operational information. These obligations are designed to ensure transparency in taxation, help detect and prevent tax evasion, and support compliance with national and international tax standards. Such requirements can vary widely in scope, depending on jurisdiction and the nature of... were proportionate to its objectives. The broad scope of the obligations was necessary to combat tax avoidanceTax avoidance refers to the practice of legally structuring financial activities to minimise tax liability, reducing the amount of tax owed without violating laws. Unlike tax evasion, which is illegal and involves concealing income or misreporting, tax avoidance operates within the framework of the law. Multinational enterprises (MNEs) and individuals often engage in tax planning strategies that reduce tax liabilities... across the EU effectively.

Outcome

The Court upheld the validity of Directive 2011/16/EUCouncil Directive 2011/16/EU, often referred to as the "Directive on Administrative Cooperation" (DAC), establishes a comprehensive framework for the exchange of tax information among EU Member States. Its primary objective is to promote transparency and combat tax evasion, ensuring all EU countries have access to information on taxpayers' cross-border income, assets, and activities. This directive mandates administrative cooperation among national... as amended by Directive 2018/822Directive 2018/822, also known as DAC6, is an amendment to the European Union's Directive on Administrative Cooperation in the field of taxation (DAC). Effective from June 25, 2018, DAC6 mandates the reporting of certain cross-border tax arrangements to ensure transparency, combat aggressive tax planning, and prevent tax avoidance. This directive focuses on specific arrangements that may present potential tax risks,..., rejecting all claims that the directive infringed upon fundamental rights under the EU Charter.

Major Issues or Areas of Contention

The significant areas of contention in this case included:

• Legal Certainty: Whether the definitions and obligations under the directive were sufficiently clear to comply with the principle of legal certainty.
• Legal Professional PrivilegeWhat is Lawyer-Client Confidentiality? Lawyer-client confidentiality is a fundamental principle in legal practice that safeguards the privacy of communications between a lawyer and their client. This principle ensures clients can openly share critical information, secure in the knowledge that it remains protected from public disclosure. In tax law, where discussions often involve sensitive financial and strategic decisions, lawyer-client confidentiality is...: Whether the directive adequately protected the confidentiality of legal advice or if it disproportionately infringed on the right to private life.
• Scope of Application: Whether it was appropriate for the directive to apply broadly to all taxes, not just corporate taxCorporate Tax refers to the tax imposed by governments on the income or capital of corporations. Corporations, considered separate legal entities, are taxed on their profits, meaning the income generated from their operational activities, investments, and other financial undertakings. This tax is generally a key revenue source for governments, helping to fund public services, infrastructure, and other essential functions. The....

Was This Decision Expected or Controversial? Why?

The decision was somewhat expected given the CJEU’s history of supporting EU initiatives to enhance tax transparency and cooperation among Member States. However, it was also controversial, particularly among legal professionals concerned about the implications for legal privilege and the broad scope of the directive. Despite these concerns, the Court’s decision to uphold the directive’s provisions underscores the EU’s prioritization of tax complianceTax Compliance refers to the adherence of individuals and businesses to the tax laws and regulations of a specific jurisdiction. It encompasses the timely and accurate filing of tax returns, the payment of tax liabilities, and ensuring that all tax-related obligations are met as stipulated by legislation. Compliance involves more than just submitting tax forms; it includes maintaining accurate financial... over the potential privacy concerns of intermediariesTax intermediaries are entities or individuals who act as facilitators between taxpayers and tax authorities, assisting with various aspects of tax compliance, planning, and dispute resolution. Their role spans from offering advisory services, ensuring compliance with tax regulations, to supporting clients in filing tax returns and navigating complex tax legislation. These intermediaries often include tax advisors, consultants, lawyers, accountants, and....

Significance for Multinationals

This judgment reinforces the need for stringent compliance with EU tax lawsTax laws form the backbone of any nation’s revenue system, setting the rules that govern how individuals and corporations contribute financially to support government functions. These laws define the types of taxes, the applicable rates, and the regulations regarding payment and compliance. They also outline the rights and obligations of taxpayers, ensuring a balanced and fair approach to funding public... for multinational corporations. The directive’s broad scope means that a wide range of cross-border tax arrangementsCross-border tax arrangements refer to any financial, operational, or structural plans designed by entities with activities or investments across multiple countries. These arrangements often leverage international tax laws and treaties to optimise tax liabilities and ensure compliance in each jurisdiction. Cross-border tax arrangements are crucial for multinational corporations (MNCs) as they help balance tax efficiencies with regulatory adherence across diverse... could be subject to reporting requirements. Multinationals must now be even more vigilant in assessing their tax arrangements for potential reporting obligationsReporting obligations refer to the mandatory requirements imposed by tax authorities on entities or individuals to disclose specific financial and operational information. These obligations are designed to ensure transparency in taxation, help detect and prevent tax evasion, and support compliance with national and international tax standards. Such requirements can vary widely in scope, depending on jurisdiction and the nature of... and ensuring their tax planningTax planning is the process of organising and structuring one’s financial affairs in a manner that legally minimises tax liabilities while ensuring compliance with relevant tax laws. The primary objective of tax planning is to reduce the amount of taxes paid, optimise the use of available tax benefits, and preserve wealth. It can be applied at various levels, including personal... strategies fully comply with EU regulations.

Significance for Revenue Services

The judgment is a significant victory for tax authorities across the EU. It enhances their ability to obtain critical information on cross-border tax arrangementsCross-border tax arrangements refer to any financial, operational, or structural plans designed by entities with activities or investments across multiple countries. These arrangements often leverage international tax laws and treaties to optimise tax liabilities and ensure compliance in each jurisdiction. Cross-border tax arrangements are crucial for multinational corporations (MNCs) as they help balance tax efficiencies with regulatory adherence across diverse..., thereby improving their capacity to detect and prevent tax avoidanceTax avoidance refers to the practice of legally structuring financial activities to minimise tax liability, reducing the amount of tax owed without violating laws. Unlike tax evasion, which is illegal and involves concealing income or misreporting, tax avoidance operates within the framework of the law. Multinational enterprises (MNEs) and individuals often engage in tax planning strategies that reduce tax liabilities.... This decision will likely lead to increased scrutiny of cross-border transactionsIntra-Group Transactions are interactions between entities within the same multinational enterprise (MNE). Such transactions form the backbone of related-party dealings and are essential in managing global operations and aligning business objectives across jurisdictions. Understanding intra-group transactions is critical in international tax and transfer pricing, as they directly impact a company's tax obligations, profitability, and compliance standing. Tax professionals, accountants, lawyers,..., making it more challenging for companies to engage in aggressive tax planningAggressive tax planning (ATP) refers to strategies employed by individuals or corporations to minimise their tax liabilities, often by exploiting legal loopholes, discrepancies between tax jurisdictions, or complex structures in tax law. While not always illegal, ATP can push the boundaries of acceptable tax behaviour, as it may compromise the intent of the law. ATP is commonly characterised by arrangements....

Importance for Organizations to Engage with Tax Experts

The directive’s complexities and potential legal implications make it crucial for organizations to engage with tax expertsA Tax Advisor is a professional who provides specialised advice to individuals, businesses, and organisations on various tax-related matters. They play a crucial role in guiding clients through complex tax laws and ensuring compliance with the latest regulations while identifying opportunities for tax efficiency. Tax Advisors must stay updated on legislative changes and understand the impact of international tax treaties,.... Tax professionals can help navigate its intricate requirements, ensuring compliance and mitigating the risk of penalties. They can also provide guidance on structuring tax arrangements to minimize risk while remaining within the bounds of the law.

Preventative Measures: Implementing a Proper Tax Risk Management Process

Organisations should implement a robust tax risk managementTax risk management is a structured process used by organizations, particularly multinational enterprises (MNEs), to identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks that arise in relation to tax compliance, reporting, and planning. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that a company’s tax obligations are managed in a way that minimizes risk exposure while maximizing efficiency and strategic value. process to avoid issues similar to those in Case C-623/22. This could include the establishment of a tax steering committeeA Tax Steering Committee is a specialised governance group within an organisation responsible for overseeing and guiding the company’s tax strategy and operations. It typically includes senior executives such as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Head of Tax, General Counsel, and external tax advisors or auditors. In multinational corporations (MNCs), this committee becomes particularly crucial, given the complex tax environment..., which plays a critical role in overseeing the organization’s tax strategy and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. A tax steering committeeA Tax Steering Committee is a specialised governance group within an organisation responsible for overseeing and guiding the company’s tax strategy and operations. It typically includes senior executives such as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Head of Tax, General Counsel, and external tax advisors or auditors. In multinational corporations (MNCs), this committee becomes particularly crucial, given the complex tax environment... helps in:

• Identifying Risks: Early identification of potential tax risksTax Risk refers to the uncertainty surrounding the potential financial or reputational impact of tax-related decisions and events on a business or individual. This risk arises due to various factors, such as complex tax regulations, inconsistent tax authority interpretations, or evolving international tax laws. Effective tax risk management involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential tax-related threats to prevent financial penalties,... associated with cross-border arrangements.
• Ensuring Compliance: Monitoring compliance with reporting obligationsReporting obligations refer to the mandatory requirements imposed by tax authorities on entities or individuals to disclose specific financial and operational information. These obligations are designed to ensure transparency in taxation, help detect and prevent tax evasion, and support compliance with national and international tax standards. Such requirements can vary widely in scope, depending on jurisdiction and the nature of... under EU directives.
• Strategic Decision-Making: Providing strategic direction on tax planningTax planning is the process of organising and structuring one’s financial affairs in a manner that legally minimises tax liabilities while ensuring compliance with relevant tax laws. The primary objective of tax planning is to reduce the amount of taxes paid, optimise the use of available tax benefits, and preserve wealth. It can be applied at various levels, including personal... while ensuring alignment with the organization’s overall risk management framework.

A well-functioning tax steering committeeA Tax Steering Committee is a specialised governance group within an organisation responsible for overseeing and guiding the company’s tax strategy and operations. It typically includes senior executives such as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Head of Tax, General Counsel, and external tax advisors or auditors. In multinational corporations (MNCs), this committee becomes particularly crucial, given the complex tax environment..., as outlined on platforms like taxriskmanagement.com, can significantly reduce the likelihood of non-compliance and the associated penalties, ensuring that the organization’s tax strategies are robust and defensible.